Raising Awareness of Nonprofits
Nearly $18,000 has been awarded to fifteen nonprofits as a result of the annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser sponsored by the Watertown Area Community Foundation. The event, hosted at the Watertown Regional Library, aims to raise awareness of nonprofits, as well as promote unrestricted gifts to them, during the holiday season.
The public supported the effort through December 2019 by voting ($1 each) for their favorite trees/organizations. The Foundation matched donations up to $300 per organization and the organization with the most votes received an additional $500 grant. That winner was Northern Prairie Arts/NE Artist Network ending with a grand total of $4,374, which included the match and grant. Second place was Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center, which received $3,183 for its efforts.
Other participants receiving funds were: 4 the Kids SD, Bark for Life, American Cancer Society, Boys & Girls Club of Watertown, Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton, East-Central CASA, PACH, Special Olympics Watertown Area, The Salvation Army, Town Players, Watertown Cheer & Dance Association, Watertown Police K9, Watertown Regional Library and Watertown Volunteer Center.
“Thanks to the public and the library, this event has been successful for many years,” said Jan DeBerg, WACF executive director. “These ‘unrestricted’ funds are a welcome boost for the nonprofits as 2020 gets under way.”
The Foundation thanks participating organizations, the library and those who donated to the tree fundraiser.
